216. Supporting Loved Ones Through Addiction with Amber Hollingsworth

The effects of alcohol and addiction go far and wide, they don’t just impact the person drinking, but ripple through families, relationships, and entire households. If you’ve ever struggled with how to talk to someone you love about their drinking, this episode is for you.

In episode 216 of The Alcohol ReThink Podcast, Patrick Fox sits down with addiction expert and YouTuber Amber Hollingsworth, host of Put Down the Shovel.

With over 20 years of experience working with people struggling with addiction and their families, Amber shares practical tools and compassionate strategies to help loved ones create safety, build trust, and influence change without judgment or ultimatums.

Listeners will learn how to approach difficult conversations without triggering defensiveness, why patience and self-regulation are essential, and how to set boundaries with empathy.

Amber explains her concept of the “invisible intervention,” showing that families are not powerless and can play an active role in helping a loved one move toward recovery.

Awesome takeaways:

• How to talk to a loved one about drinking without starting a fight.

• Why creating a safe, non-judgmental space is more powerful than criticism.

• Practical boundary-setting techniques for difficult situations.

• The importance of family members managing their own emotions first.

  How influence, not control, can accelerate change.